Improvement in seed-sowers



P. F. RANDo L1=H.

`SEED-SOW-aER Patented Feb. 15,118,76.

Np.17s,495.

N.PETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHI UNITEDSTMES PATENT OFFICE.

PETER E. RNDOLPR. oELIBERTYcoRNER, NEW JERSEY, ASsreNoR To u y JAMES D. VAN D'EvERE, or* SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT |N SEED-sowERs.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 173,495, dated February 15, 1876; application led september-25, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER F. RANDOLPH, of Liberty Corner, in the county of Somerset and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Seed-Sowas; and

I do hereby declare `that the following is a full and exact description ofthe same, referencev being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters'ot' reference marked thereon.

This invention relatesto that class of seedsowers which are carried by the planter and operated by hand; and it consists mainly in the employment, in connection with Vthe seedhopper and a suitable discharge-opening, of an agitator, which is adapted to cause vthe dis: charge of the seed through the openingwhen operated by the finger of `the planter, as will befully described` hereinafter.'

Inthe drawings, Figure l represents a perspective view of my invention; Figs. 2 and 3, sectional elevations of the same.

To enable others skilled in the lart to make and use my invention, I Will now proceed to describe fully its construction and Vmanner of operation. y

A represents the hopper, constructed of any proper shape or size and suitable material, but

which may be made of the, metal plate a and wooden'strip al united to'form the frustum ofa pyramid, having one or more of its sides sharply inclined. a2' represents the hopper -bottom, constructed of a curved or straight plate provided with the large oval opening a3, as shown. ctw* represent anges, formed in any suitable manner upon the sides ofthe hopper bottom, which are adapted to hold any one p of a series of plates provided with dischargeopenings of varying sizes. a5 represents a cover of any suitable construction for closing desired, however, this may be made in one piece with the hopper, the latter also being constructed of a single piece of metal, if desired. It is inclined at its front side for the purpose of v entering the earth more readily, and is constructed atffits rear side with a` recess or cutaway portion, b,y designed to permit the earth to fall vand cover the seed. G .represents the suitable bearings, as shown. `c2 represents a o continuation of 4'the shaft c1 upon the outside I of the hopper, which is extended into convenient position for operation hy the finger of the planter. D represents a bar or plate secured to the side of the hopper,- which is provided with stops d d, adaptedvv to limit the movement of the agitator-.arm in either direction. E represents a spring,.of any suitable construction, which is adapted to give theagitator its proper return movement after it has been movedv bythe nger. F represents Vthe handle, of any suitable construction. lf de,- sired,it may be extended up'wa-rd suiciently to enablethe implement to be used while the p lanter stands in an upright position, in which case, however, the mechanism for operating the agitator must also be extended.

The operation of the implement will be readily understood. A line having been drawn upon the ground, or the position of a row indicated in any other way, the planter, inserting the sower into'the earth at one end, andinoving backward and drawing the implement with him, operates the agitator with his finger, by which means the seed 'is caused to flow from the hopper in proper quantities. By changing the discharge-plate lthe size of the opening may be varied at will, to sow a greater or less quantity in a given space.

I do not wish to limit myself to any particular size, shape, or material but Having now fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a hopper having a .discharge-opening, substantially as described, .an agitator, c, and a linger-lever, substantially as` and for the purpose described.

2. The im plement described, havin g the hopper A, earth-opener B, agitator c, and fingerlever (l, as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 21st day of September, 1875.

' I. F. RANDOLPH. Witnesses:

PETER ,VENNER, WM. G. VEGHTE'. 

